When the 2021-2022 NBA season started, nobody predicted the Celtics would sweep the Nets within the opening spherical of the playoffs, James Harden’s departure to the 76ers and Kyrie Irving going from a part-time to full-time standing with the franchise.
This was Brooklyn’s actuality, and now Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks signaled to reporters on Wednesday that the Nets are non-commital on re-signing the seven-time All-Star, saying it has been an ongoing dialogue.
“We’ll continue to debrief on and discuss throughout this offseason,” Marks stated per New York Post’s Brian Lewis.
When Kevin Durant and Irving joined the Nets in the summertime of 2019, it appeared that the stage was set for Brooklyn to compete for NBA championships. Even extra so when Harden compelled his means out of Houston to affix Durant and Irving. The Nets, on paper, appeared like an offensive juggernaut with three of probably the most explosive scorers within the league.
However, accidents, the coronavirus pandemic and the shortage of chemistry had been the good equalizers. New York City mayor Eric Adams issued a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in October, requiring proof of vaccination to enter indoor arenas, which additionally prevented Irving from enjoying in Brooklyn residence video games. But almost three months later, the Nets bent the principles for Irving, bringing him again as a part-time participant “for games and practices in which he was eligible to participate” in January after lacking the primary 78 days of the 2021–22 season. Irving ultimately returned as a full-time participant on March 27 after Adams introduced that proof of COVID-19 vaccination was now not required by personal employees, together with skilled athletes and entertainers.
Beck: Kyrie Irving Is Back at Barclays, But Is It Too Late for the Nets?
Scroll to Continue
According to Marks, Brooklyn plans to take the summer season months to readjust the tradition of the franchise with the purpose of constructing it stronger after taking a step again final season.
“The culture isn’t what it once was,” Marks stated per ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
By the time Irving returned on full-time standing, Harden had already been traded to the 76ers for Ben Simmons on account of accidents between the trio and Harden’s annoyance of Irving being a part-time participant.
While this season was one other by which the Nets underachieved, the Nets’ future may very well be with out the likes of Irving. “There’s an objective and there’s a goal at stake here,” Marks stated per Lewis. “In order to do that, we’re gonna need availability from everybody.”
More NBA Coverage: